How close should the heat lamp be?

[tortoishell]

The temperature here dropped drastically yesterday so my RT's basking spot was barely 75 degrees. I lowered the heat lamp but since the heat lamp and uvb bulb are attached to the same fixture, the uvb bulb is also closer. The two bulbs are about 8 or 9 inches away from Gobi. Is that too close?

 

[Tom]

Only your thermometer can answer this question. Basking area directly under the bulb should be around 95-100 at tortoise shell height. You might need a larger wattage flood bulb, or you can raise the room temp a bit.

It sounds like you are using a double hood with a spot lamp and a cfl UV bulb. That is what the pet stores typical sell. Neither bulb is good and they shouldn't be used in those double hoods for the exact reason you are now experiencing. CFL bulbs sometimes burn reptile eyes and they are not an effective UV source to boot. Spot bulbs concentrate too much heat and IR-A into too small of an area, and it usually contributes to pyramiding or slow burning the top of the carapace. Flood bulbs, or regular round bulbs in a hood, work better and spread the heat out over a larger area.

 

[tortoishell]

Thanks for the quick reply Tom! I'm actually using a ceramic heat emitter. What does CFL stand for (sorry for the confusion)? I will definitely look into the bulbs.

 

[Maro2Bear]

Thanks for the quick reply Tom! I'm actually using a ceramic heat emitter. What does CFL stand for (sorry for the confusion)? I will definitely look into the bulbs.

CFL = compact fluorescent (CFL) light bulbs = not good for torts..

 

[tortoishell]

CFL = compact fluorescent (CFL) light bulbs = not good for torts..

Ok thanks for clearing that up [emoji1]. I will change the bulb ASAP. Is the che still ok?

 

[Maro2Bear]

CHE on a thermostat 24/7 is what you want. CHE creates a nice even ambient temp in your enclosure. Depending on the size of your enclosure you might need more than one. CHE's come in many wattage sizes.

 

[tortoishell]

My enclosure is 4' by 4'. The CHE is in a corner with the uvb bulb. Should I add another one?

 

[JoesMum]

Ok thanks for clearing that up [emoji1]. I will change the bulb ASAP. Is the che still ok?

You should not be using a CHE for basking. It is to provide ambient heat and must be used with a thermostat. It goes as high as possible so it doesn’t burn.

A CHE looks like this


For basking you need a reflector bulb (or MVB) that looks like this. It must be 95-100F directly underneath.


The compact (CFL) bulbs for UVB only that cause concern look like these

 

[tortoishell]

I will buy a reflector bulb; does anyone have any suggestions on how to attach it? My enclosure has an open top. I also now plan on getting another CHE

 

[JoesMum]

The basking lamp should be hung over the enclosure so the light fitting hangs vertically. You can buy reptile lamp stands online or from pet stores... or you could build your own.

A CHE is only effective in a closed chamber and it MUST be used with a thermostat. It’s unlikely you will need more than one.

You have a Russian I believe. Babies shouldn’t go below 80F day or night and should be in a closed chamber, but older animals are kept in open enclosures and prefer it cooler at night; they’re fine with it dropping to 65F at night. It depends on your home, but most don’t drop below 65F at night.